problemprob‧lem /ˈprɒbləm $ ˈprɑː-/ ●●● S1 W1 noun [countable] 
She was older than me, but that wasn’t really a problem.problem of The problem of street crime is getting worse every year.problem with I’ve been having a few problems with my car.RegisterIn writing, people sometimes prefer to use the word issue rather than problem, as it sounds more neutral and less negative:· the issue of race relations2something wrong with your health or with part of your bodyhealth problem/problem with your health Does she have any long-term health problems?back/heart/kidney etc problem If you have back problems you should avoid lifting heavy objects.hearing problem Many people with hearing problems try to hide their condition.weight problem She refuses to admit to herself that she has a weight problem.emotional/psychological problem Is this a sign of some kind of deeper psychological problem?► see thesaurus at illness3question a question for which you have to find the right answer, using mathematics or careful thought: She gave us 20 mathematical problems to solve.4no problem spoken a)used to say that you are happy to do something or for someone else to do something: ‘Can I bring a friend?’ ‘Sure, no problem.’ b)used after someone has said thank you or said that they are sorry: ‘Thanks for all your help.’ ‘No problem!’5have no problem (in) doing something to do something easily: I’ve had no problem recruiting staff.6the (only) problem is (that) ... spoken used before saying what the main difficulty in a situation is: The problem is, there isn’t enough time.7that’s your/his etc problem spoken used to say rudely that someone else is responsible for dealing with a situation, not you: If you miss the train, that’s your problem.8it’s/that’s not my problem spoken used to say rudely that you are not responsible for dealing with a particular problem and are not willing to help: ‘We’ve got a serious staffing shortage.’ ‘That’s not my problem.’9What’s your/his etc problem? spoken informal used when you think that someone is behaving in a way that is unreasonable10Do you have a problem with that? spoken informal used to ask someone why they seem to disagree with you, in a way that shows that you are annoyed11problem child/family/drinker etc a child etc whose behaviour causes problems for other peopleCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbshave a problem· We saw water rushing in and realised we had a serious problem.cause/create a problem· The building’s lack of parking space could cause problems.present/pose a problem (=cause it or make it have to be considered)· A shortage of trained nurses is posing major problems.deal with/sort out a problem· The state has failed to deal with the problem of violence against women.tackle/address a problem (=deal with it)· There is more than one way to tackle this problem.solve/resolve a problem (also fix a problem informal)· He solved his financial problems by selling his car.overcome a problem· We try to help families overcome housing problems.face a problem· Terrorism is possibly the most important problem facing western countries.raise a problem (=mention it, so that people can discuss it)· He also raised the problem of noise from planes taking off and landing.encounter/experience a problem· You shouldn’t encounter any further problems.a problem arises/occurs (also a problem comes up) (=it happens)· Problems may arise when the family wants to move house.compound/exacerbate a problem formal (=make it worse)· The country’s economic problems are compounded by its ageing population.the problem lies in/with something· The problem lies in the design of the rocket.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + problembig/major/serious· The school’s biggest problem is a shortage of cash.little/small/minor· Old cars often develop minor engine problems.the main problem· The main problem for the climbers was lack of sleep.a real problem· They quickly found that their real problem lay with marketing.a difficult problem· Does the team have the skills to tackle these difficult problems?a thorny/knotty problem (=difficult)· He still faced the thorny problem of finding a way out of the jungle.a fundamental problem (=relating to the most basic and important parts of something)· The government has done little to solve the fundamental problems of poverty and crime.a pressing problem (=one that needs to be dealt with very soon)· Lack of clean drinking water is the most pressing problem facing the refugees.personal problems (=relating to your private life and relationships)· My daughter found it hard to talk about her personal problems.family problems· She would never discuss family problems with outsiders.financial/money problems· Our financial problems are over.economic problems· He argued that the government was to blame for the country’s economic problems.a technical problem· The delay was caused by technical problems.a practical problem· Burying a pet can present practical problems.an environmental problem· Air pollution is our most serious environmental problem.COMMON ERRORS ► It is more usual to say a big problem, a major problem or a serious problem, instead of saying 'an important problem'.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2ADJECTIVES/NOUN + problema health/medical problem· Have you ever suffered from any of these health problems?a back/heart/kidney etc problem· He was born with heart problems.a hearing problem· There are special telephones for people with hearing problems.a weight problem (=the problem of being too fat)· Patients with weight problems were put on a strict diet.psychological problems (also mental health problems)· She is being treated for psychological problems at a mental hospital in Oxford.emotional problems· He suffers from depression and other emotional problems.behavioural problems· Many of these children have behavioural problems.a serious/major problem· Lifting things carelessly can lead to serious back problems.a minor problem· She has had some minor medical problems.verbshave a problem· He's always had a weight problem.suffer (from) a problem· The patient began to suffer breathing problems.THESAURUSsetback a problem that stops you from making progress: · The space program suffered a major setback when the space shuttle, Discovery, exploded.snag informal a problem, especially one that you had not expected: · There’s a snag – I don’t have his number.hitch a small problem that delays or prevents something: · There have been a few last-minute hitches.trouble when something does not work in the way it should: · The plane developed engine trouble.hassle spoken a situation that is annoying because it causes problems: · Just trying to store all this stuff is a hassle.
WORD ORIGINproblem
Origin:
1300-1400 French problème, from Latin problema, from Greek, ‘something thrown forward’, from proballein ‘to throw forward’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Bill isn't sleeping well - I think he's having problems at school.
- Engineers were unable to find the source of the problem in the spacecraft's cooling system.
- Federal laws have almost no effect on the crime problem that concerns most people - crime on the streets.
- If you have any problems, give me a call.
- Our biggest problem is lack of money.
- Please call 5326 if you have any computer problems.
- Scientists still have not solved the problem of what to do with nuclear waste.
- She's had a lot of personal problems - her mother died when she was eight.
- Sue's had a lot of problems with her neighbours recently.
- Tannen retired early due to health problems.
- The problem of substance abuse in high school is widespread.
- The first section of the test will contain twenty algebra problems.
- The new traffic system is causing problems for everyone.
- There seems to be some kind of problem with the heaters.
- Whiteflies can be a serious problem that affects produce grown in California and other states.
- In spite of this we do need to make an effort to define the problem.
- The only problem is that this runs counter to trends in the labor market.
- This is a problem in making an ordered sequence with respect to time from different fragments or partial records.
- Three would involve complex skeletal and muscular problems tending to impede rather than improve mobility.
- We are taken to a place where characters have nice little problems and impressive muscle tone.
- We have our problems and our frustrations.
- We try to move at the parents pace and, where necessary, show them one problem at a time.
- Where motor vehicles are concerned, the problems are different.
THESAURUS
a problem that stops you from making progress: · The space program suffered a major setback when the space shuttle, Discovery, exploded.
informal a problem, especially one that you had not expected: · There’s a snag – I don’t have his number.
a small problem that delays or prevents something: · There have been a few last-minute hitches.
when something does not work in the way it should: · The plane developed engine trouble.
spoken a situation that is annoying because it causes problems: · Just trying to store all this stuff is a hassle.
Longman Language Activatorsomething that causes difficulties a bad situation that must be dealt with, because it is causing harm or inconvenience, or it is stopping you from doing what you want to do: have a problem: · If you have any problems, give me a call.problem with: · Sue's had a lot of problems with her neighbours recently.cause/create problems: · The new traffic system is causing problems for everyone.solve a problem (=find a way to deal with it): · Scientists still have not solved the problem of what to do with nuclear waste.the drug/crime etc problem: · Federal laws have almost no effect on the crime problem that concerns most people - crime on the streets.problem of: · The problem of substance abuse in high school is widespread.big/serious problem: · Our biggest problem is lack of money.· Whiteflies can be a serious problem that affects produce grown in California and other states.
a problem that makes it more difficult to do something that you are trying to do: · I don't expect major difficulties, although there are still differences to be worked out.difficulty with: · The main difficulty with this method is that it takes twice as long.have difficulty with (doing) something: · Youngsters may have difficulty applying the paint because of its thin consistency.get into difficulty/difficulties (=start to have problems in a situation): · Credit cards make it extremely easy to get into difficulty with debt.economic/financial difficulty: · The nation faces severe economic difficulties.language/technical/legal etc difficulty: · Police officers in most Californian cities need to be able to cope with language difficulties and cultural differences.face/experience difficulty: · Some parents experienced difficulty when they tried to move their children to other schools.be in difficulty/difficulties (=be in a situation that has problems): · Manchester United won easily, and never seemed to be in any difficulty.difficulty of doing something: · The difficulties of counting whales makes most population figures extremely unreliable.
a problem or several problems that make something difficult, spoil your plans etc: · The trouble was caused by a loose connection in the fuse box.· If you used the same tape later and had no sound trouble, the problem is in the video recorder, not the tape.trouble with: · The pilot reported trouble with both engines.have trouble: · We have had a lot of trouble with the car this year.have trouble doing something: · Norris had trouble finding work and is still unemployed.cause trouble: · Snow and freezing temperatures caused trouble at many airports.the trouble with something (=the one feature of something that is a problem): · The trouble with lasagne is that it takes so long to make.
informal a problem or a series of problems that are annoying because they involve a lot of work, arguing, inconvenience etc: · The airline doesn't make seat assignments, which can be a hassle for travelers, but it saves money.· Shopping by mail avoids the hassles of crowded stores at Christmastime.legal/bureaucratic etc hassles: · Byrd says he settled the claim to avoid legal hassles.it's too much hassle: · I don't want to organize a big party - it's too much hassle.
an additional problem that makes a situation even harder to deal with than it already is: · One complication is that the meals also need to be suitable for children of Islamic or Jewish faiths.· Legal and financial complications have made it impossible for the two companies to complete the deal on time.
a small problem within a long process: · The plan has a hitch: drilling holes for the owls in the trees will kill the trees. without a hitch (=without any problems): · The parade went off without a hitch, despite concern about protestors.· The shuttle landed without a hitch at Edwards Air Force Base.there's a hitch: · There was a hitch - about half the employees did not want to move to a different city.hitch in: · Nelson refused to comment on reports of a last-minute hitch in the negotiations.technical hitch: · There's been a slight technical hitch, so we'll have to postpone the video until later.
a small problem which is not very important compared to other things: · There was a slight hiccup when I couldn't find my car keys, but finally we set off.· The airline industry's troubles are a mere hiccup in an otherwise upward growth trend.
a small problem or disadvantage in something which is mainly good and satisfactory: · The cleanup effort was delayed for a few days by some technical snags and equipment problems.hit a snag/run into a snag: · The case hit a snag in October when the judge handling it had to be replaced.last-minute snag: · The House worked out some last-minute snags in the legislation.
a hidden problem or disadvantage in an offer that seems very good - use this especially when you think the problem has been deliberately hidden to trick people: there's a catch: · You get free meals and accommodation, but there's a catch -- you have to look after the children.with a catch: · Many of the best deals come with a catch: they are only good through early summer.the catch is (that): · The catch is that you can't enter the contest unless you have spent $50 in the store.
British small problems that a new company, product, system etc has at the beginning: · After a few teething troubles, the new car worked perfectly.· The disagreement was just one of the teething problems of the partnership.
something that makes you feel worried or unhappy something that happens in your life that makes you feel worried, unhappy, or ill: have a problem: · Bill isn't sleeping well - I think he's having problems at school.personal problems: · She's had a lot of personal problems - her mother died when she was eight.health problems: · Tannen retired early due to health problems.
things that make you feel worried and unhappy, especially problems that have continued for a long time: · It's nice to talk to someone about your troubles.· Parents can get wrapped up in their own troubles, and not notice how it's affecting their children.
a problem that stops you from making progress something that happens which stops you making progress or which makes things worse than they were before: · Arafat has survived crises, setbacks, and challenges to his leadership.have/suffer a setback: · The peace talks have suffered a series of setbacks.setback for: · The court's decision was a major setback for Bradley.setback in: · Manning suffered a setback in his battle against alcoholism.serious/major/big setback: · The two losses are a serious setback for the team's playoff hopes.political/economic/legal etc setback: · The decision is a legal setback for the steel company.business/election etc setback: · He had been depressed over a number of business setbacks.
a problem or difficulty that must be dealt with before you can do or achieve something else: · The main hurdle at present is getting the council's permission.legal/bureaucratic/political etc hurdle: · Women face a lot of legal hurdles trying to prove sexual harassment.· There are lots of bureaucratic hurdles to deal with when adopting a child.hurdle for: · Requiring school uniforms can be a financial hurdle for the poor.clear/pass a hurdle: · The bill has cleared all the hurdles before it and will soon become law.
a fact or situation that will make it very difficult for something to be achieved: · Negotiations with management broke off Tuesday, with wage proposals the stumbling block.stumbling block to: · Each side has accused the others of creating stumbling blocks to peace.stumbling block for: · Mortgage interest rates have fallen, but large down payments remain a stumbling block for house buyers.
something that makes it very difficult for you to do what you are trying to do: · America's top golfers played well despite the hindrance of early morning mist.· I concentrated on my career, feeling that a family would be a hindrance.be a hindrance to: · The country's poor infrastructure is a major hindrance to importers.· The biggest hindrance to economic reform has been the lack of access to U.S. markets.without hindrance: · Travelers can move through the country without hindrance.more of a hindrance than a help (=causing more problems than there would be otherwise): · The girls wanted to set the table, but they were more of a hindrance than a help.
a difficult problem that stops someone or something making progress or developing: · The deal should go through, but there are several legal obstacles to overcome first.· There are a number of obstacles in the way of a lasting peace settlement.obstacle to: · There's no reason why the fact of being a parent should be an obstacle to women's career progression.
an extremely difficult or complicated problem a situation in which it is very difficult to decide what to do, because all the choices seem equally good or equally bad: · It is a common dilemma: Should you stay where you have friends and family, or take that good job in a far-away city?face a dilemma: · With a child on each opposing team, Dad was faced with a dilemma: which supporters should he sit with? ethical dilemma: · Writers are debating the ethical dilemma raised by the parents who did not want their Siamese twins separated.
a situation in which you cannot do one thing until you do another thing, but you cannot do that thing until you do the first thing, with the result that you can do neither: · It's catch-22 -- she can't get a job unless she has experience, and she can't get experience unless she has a job.a catch-22 situation: · It's a catch-22 situation: The project won't receive government money until it is shown to be successful, but it cannot be successful without adequate funds.
a situation in which something bad will happen whatever you decide to do: · It's a no-win situation -- if I tell him, he'll be upset, but if I don't he'll be mad at me for not telling him.· Hospitals are in a no-win situation, since protecting patients' privacy may conflict with protecting the health of doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers.
a difficult situation in which you do not know which of two things was the cause of the other and which was the result, because neither could exist if the other did not: · We all hate lawyers, but they're in business because so many people sue each other: it's a classic chicken-and-egg situation.· The airport faces a chicken-and-egg dilemma: Airlines won't add more flights unless there is more demand, and there won't be more demand until there are more flights.
a situation in which one problem causes another problem, that then causes the first problem again, so that the whole process continues to be repeated: · Many people who diet put on even more weight when they stop, creating a vicious circle.· More and more teenagers are caught in a vicious circle of drug addiction and crime.
full of problems full of problems and difficult to deal with: · It is important to understand the problematic nature of historical evidence.· The new salary scale remains a problematic area.highly problematic: · The Foreign Minister said that relations between the two countries are "highly problematic".
use this about an activity or plan that is full of unexpected problems which make it very difficult: · The preparations for the wedding were fraught with difficulties, but finally everything went well.· Legalization of drugs would be fraught with problems, but the "war on drugs" causes problems too.
an activity or subject where you have to be very careful, because it is full of hidden problems and risks, so that it is very easy to make mistakes or upset people: · House-buying can be a minefield -- you need a good lawyer.· Mozart's music seems so danceable, but most choreographers regard it as a minefield.
informal a situation or subject which at first seems to be simple and easy to deal with, but is full of complicated problems for anyone who gets involved with it: · Census questions about race are a pretty big can of worms.open up a can of worms (=suddenly find that you have to deal with a lot of difficult and unexpected problems): · The government opened up a can of worms when it decided to reorganize the education system.
to have a problem · If you have any problems, just come and ask me.· I had a few problems getting the copier to work.have a problem with · I'm having a bit of a problem with my dishwasher.· One landowner says he has never had any problems with hikers crossing his property.· Jane can be quite difficult to get on with -- I've had one or two problems with her in the past.
to have problems that make it more difficult to do something: · You look as if you're having trouble -- do you want any help?have trouble/difficulty with: · I had some trouble with the car this morning.· She's having a little difficulty with her spelling.have trouble/difficulty doing something: · He had a lot of trouble finding a job.· The child was having difficulty breathing.
to have serious problems: · It's clear from these figures that the company is in trouble.· When someone's in trouble it's natural to try and help them.get into trouble (=start having serious problems): · I took out a loan but got into trouble when I lost my job.in deep/serious/big trouble (=have very serious problems): · Consular officers can help and advise you if you are in any serious trouble while abroad.
to have a lot of problems or a lot of difficulty doing something: · Premature babies have a hard time even under the best of circumstances.have a hard time doing something: · A lot of people are having a hard time making ends meet.· Anyone calling the 202 area code this weekend had a hard time getting through.
to have a problem, a difficult choice, or the possibility of something bad happening soon: · We are often faced with dilemmas or problems which have no easy answers.· Manufacturing industries are faced with decreasing productivity and increasing international competition.· When faced with an unfamiliar word, good readers are able to make guesses based on the meaning and structure of the sentence.
to have a difficult problem or opponent that you must deal with or fight against: · The company is up against tough competition from abroad.· When you're surfing and get hit by a wave, it's a reminder of what you're up against.· In the semi-finals he will be up against one of the best players in the game.
to start having problems or difficulties that you have to deal with: · Older people applying for jobs come up against an age barrier.· The committee found itself coming up against the prejudices of many staff when it tried to introduce new working practices.
to experience problems, difficulties, or opposition while you are trying to do something: · Drivers on the M25 are likely to encounter fog and black ice tonight.· Many of the children encountered some difficulty in learning the material.· The government has encountered strong opposition over its plans to build a new airport.
to unexpectedly start having problems while you are doing something: · The corporation has run into serious financial problems.· Our staff will be happy to answer your questions should you run into difficulties installing the equipment yourself.
informal to have a lot of difficult problems to deal with or a lot of things to worry about: · Don't bother your mother -- she's got a lot on her plate at the moment.· Susan's had a lot on her plate recently, what with the car accident and everything.
to be in a very difficult situation informal to be in a difficult situation and not know what to do: · The team's owner is in a fix - he's spent a lot to improve the stadium, but ticket sales are still declining.· Wyck's business consists of helping, for a fee, computer owners who are in a technical fix.
to be in a very difficult or dangerous situation, when there is very little you can do to get out of it: · A mobile phone lets you reach help when you're in a tight spot.· O'Neill had been in tight corners before, but never as tight as this one.put somebody in a tight spot (=give someone a difficult problem): · Losing his job put them in a tight spot financially.
to have so many problems that there is not much hope that things will get better, especially as a result of past mistakes: · The previous manager had left the restaurant's affairs in a terrible mess.get into a mess: · How did you manage to get into this mess in the first place?somebody's life is a mess (=they have a lot of problems and seem unable to deal with them): · Her boyfriend left her and she lost her job - her life is just a mess at the moment.
to be in a difficult situation because whatever you do, you are likely to offend someone or make things worse: · I was in a difficult position, as I was being asked to confront a man who had much more power than I did.put somebody in a difficult/awkward position: · Clara was angry at Harry for putting her in such an awkward position.
to be in an extremely difficult situation, because whatever you do there will certainly be serious trouble: · I'm in an impossible position -- if I criticize him he may resign, but if I don't he'll end up ruining the whole project.put somebody in an impossible position: · By bringing his objections out into the open, the Chancellor has put the Prime Minister in an impossible position.
to be in a very difficult situation and not be able to decide what is the best thing for you to do: · I was in a quandary - I didn't know whether to tell the police or not.· The government has got itself into a quandary over the new tax -- if they abandon it they will be seen as weak, if they keep it they will be very unpopular.
to have very serious problems, especially financial ones, which could have very serious results: · The company is in dire financial straits.· The team is in such dire straits they've even considered selling their three best players.
spoken say this when you have had a series of problems and you feel that these problems will never end: · It's been one thing after another since I started renting out the place to students.· It's one thing after another with that stupid photocopier! What's wrong with it now?
when a fact or situation causes problems to cause a problem that has to be dealt with: · You would be the only woman on a staff of over thirty men, which could create problems.· Both parents and teachers are worried about the problems posed by drugs.cause/create/pose a problem for: · Rebecca was frequently late for work, which caused problems for her colleagues.· Rising inflation could pose a major problem for the government.
to cause problems for someone and make it difficult or inconvenient for them to do what they want to do: · Petty arguments between staff have made the manager's life difficult.make life difficult for: · The rail strikes are making life increasingly difficult for people who have to travel into London every day.
if an activity or a plan presents a problem , there is a problem connected with it that has to be dealt with: · Constructing a highway in this area would present enormous difficulties.present a problem/difficulty for: · Live television programmes present special problems for the broadcaster.present somebody with a problem/difficulty: · Britain's relationship with other members of the European Union presents Blair with problems, just as it did for the Tories.
something that is troublesome keeps causing problems over a period of time: · The infection can be particularly troublesome if it affects the lungs or throat.· The plant is regarded as a troublesome weed in rice fields.
informal to cause problems over a period of time that are difficult to deal with: · Messy walkways and picnic tables are just some of the headaches caused by the hundreds of ducks that gather by the lake.be a headache for: · Censorship is always a constant headache for newspapers in the republic.give somebody a headache: · The scandal has given the minister a very public headache.
if difficulties, illnesses, doubts, problems etc plague someone, there are a lot of them and they keep causing trouble for a long time: · Social problems plague these low-income communities.· The area is plagued by soil erosion and flooding.
if a problem or bad luck dogs someone or something, it keeps causing trouble for a long time and prevents them from succeeding: · The team has been dogged by injury all season.· Zambia had none of the heritage of war and violence that dogged, say, Kenya or Zimbabwe.
to make progress difficult to make it very difficult for an activity or plan to continue successfully: · Search efforts were hampered by strong winds and fifteen foot waves.· The police's work is hampered by people who file false complaints.· Health care costs are severely hampering the nation's small businesses.
to cause problems and therefore delay the development or progress of something: · Higher interest rates could hinder economic growth.· Society's attitudes about women hinder any real progress toward equality. · Heavy rains had hindered the expedition's progress through the north-west of the country.
to make progress or the development of something slower or more difficult: · Progress has been impeded by a number of economic factors.· In fact, the use of these drugs may even impede the patient's recovery.
when someone causes problems, especially deliberately to cause a problem, even if you do not intend to: · After a while, John started causing problems in class.· They have two good running backs who can cause problems for our team's defense.· A popular independent candidate could create problems for the Democrats by taking away votes.
to deliberately cause problems, especially by starting arguments or fights: · Don't give him another drink, or he'll start causing trouble.· Some of the demonstrators were determined to make trouble, whatever the police did.· It's not just gang members that cause trouble, it's middle- and upper-class kids too.
to deliberately cause problems and make it difficult for someone to do something, for example in order to punish them or persuade them to do something: · They can't actually stop us, but they could make life difficult.make life difficult for: · Some employers have made life difficult for employees who need time off for extended illnesses.
informal to deliberately treat someone badly and cause trouble for them, for example by criticizing them, complaining, or asking them a lot of difficult questions: · When I first came here everyone gave me a really hard time, because I was the first woman to run a department.give sb a hard time about: · My mother gave me a really hard time about Freddy. She couldn't stand him.
informal to cause problems by making changes in a situation that everyone else thinks is satisfactory: · We have a pretty good life here. Why rock the boat?· Judge Thurgood Marshall never hesitated to rock the boat, from the beginning of his long legal career.· A lot of people have a don't-rock-the boat mentality that stops them from complaining.
someone who causes a lot of problems someone who deliberately causes problems, especially by complaining a lot or trying to make people fight or argue: · The violence was started by a small group of troublemakers.· Women who point out cases of harassment risk being labelled troublemakers.
someone who is difficult or awkward causes a lot of problems, because they behave in an unreasonable or unhelpful way: · Darren's always been such a difficult child.difficult/awkward about: · She's being really awkward about the divorce.
to cause extra work or inconvenience for someone to cause problems for someone by making them do something that is inconvenient for them: · Would I be inconveniencing you if I arrived about ten thirty?· The builders promised the Browns that they would not be inconvenienced for more than two days.cause inconvenience for somebody: · It was weeks before a decision was made, which caused inconvenience for everyone.cause somebody inconvenience: · If you don't remember your password, you'll cause yourself a lot of inconvenience.
to make someone have to do something that is inconvenient for them by asking them to do something for you: · Are you sure you don't mind picking the children up from school? I don't want to put you out.· I hope I'm not putting you out, but I need someone to stay in the office at lunchtime today.
to cause someone problems or more work than usual: · I didn't want to trouble you - you have your own problems.· She doesn't want to trouble you by asking lots of questions.
to make someone spend a lot of time or use a lot of effort in doing something for you: · We've put her to a lot of trouble. Why don't we get her some flowers?· I don't want to put you to any trouble.
what you say when you are explaining a problem spoken say this when you are explaining why something is difficult or what is causing problems: · The trouble is, there's no-one here who really understands computers.the trouble/problem is (that): · The problem is that we can't really afford the plane fare.the trouble/problem with something is: · The trouble with using credit cards is that it's so easy to get into debt.
spoken informal say this when you are explaining to a friend why you cannot do what they want: · The thing is, I have an important exam next week.· I'd love to come, but the thing is, I promised to see Jim tonight.
what you say to ask someone about a problem spoken say this when you are asking someone what is causing a problem, for example why they are upset, or why a machine will not work: · What's the matter? You look as if you've been crying.what's wrong/what's the matter with: · What's wrong with the TV?· What was the matter with Daniella yesterday?
spoken informal say this when you are asking someone if there is a problem that they want to talk about: · "Karen, can I talk to you for a minute?" "Sure, what's up?"what's up with somebody? (=say this when someone seems to have a problem): · What's up with Larry today?
spoken say this when you are asking why someone cannot do something or why something will not work: · "I can't finish the last question." "Why? What's the problem?"· What's the problem? Is there something I can do?what's the problem with: · "I can't get my computer to work." "What's the problem with it?"
especially American, spoken say this to ask someone if they are unhappy about something you just said or suggested - use this when you are annoyed and want to be slightly rude: · "Is he going to sleep in your room?" "I think so. Do you have a problem with that?"· "Are you all by yourself?" I said, "Yes." And I wanted to say "you got a problem with that?"
someone who is unhelpful and causes problems someone who is difficult is not easy to live with or work with because they do not behave in a helpful, friendly way: · When Darren was a little boy, he was very difficult at times.· Campbell has the reputation of being difficult to work with.
someone who is awkward is deliberately unhelpful and unfriendly, and seems to like causing problems for people: · Do you have to be so awkward about everything?
spoken someone who is impossible makes you annoyed and impatient, for example because they are never satisfied or they keep changing their mind: · She's impossible! Even when I offer to help her she always finds some reason to complain.· Dan's impossible to live with when he's sick.
someone who is a pain is annoying and difficult to deal with: · Carla can be a pain sometimes, but she's been a good friend to me.· Little brothers are such a pain in the neck!
a child who is always behaving badly and often gets into trouble: · In my years as a teacher, I've seen plenty of problem children come and go.
very difficult to deal with, live with, work with etc: · I'm not surprised you've had problems with Diane. She's not the easiest person to work with, is she?
British informal someone who is bolshy behaves in an unhelpful, bad-tempered way and argues with the people that they are supposed to obey: · Stop being so bolshie and just get on with it, will you?
someone who is often drunk someone who drinks too much alcohol and cannot stop: · Many alcoholics do not realize that they have a problem until it is too late.· I usually have a drink or two after work, but I don't think I'm an alcoholic.
someone who is drunk or who often gets drunk - use this especially about someone you see in a public place such as a street or a bar: · A couple of drunks were passed out on the sidewalk.· I don't like to take the bus at night. It's full of drunks and crazy people.
someone who often drinks a lot of alcohol: · He had the watery eyes and swollen nose of a drinker.heavy drinker (=someone who regularly drinks a lot of alcohol): · Paul and Jane were both heavy drinkers and spent most of their time in the local bar.hard drinker (=someone who regularly drinks a lot of alcohol): · He quickly earned the reputation as a hard drinker and hell-raiser.
British /have a drinking problem American to be unable to stop the habit of drinking too much alcohol, so that it has a bad effect on your life: · My sister has a drink problem but she won't admit it.· From everything you tell me, it sounds as if your husband may have a drinking problem.
American informal someone who is often drunk - often used humorously: · You'll see her sitting at the bar all day. She's a real lush.· What are you drinking, you big lush?
someone who is drunk very often - used especially in literature: · They were all drunkards, but Arthur was the worst of them all.· Unfortunately she had married an incurable drunkard.
something wrong with a machine, system, plan etc something wrong with one of the parts of a machine that prevents it from working properly: · Quality control staff are employed to check for any faults.fault in: · I think there's a fault in one of the loudspeakers.· The fault could be either in the tape or in the VCR.electrical/mechanical/technical etc fault: · The rocket launch was delayed because of a technical fault.
something wrong with a product or machine, especially caused by a mistake in the way it was made or designed: · All the computers are checked for defects before they leave the factory.defect in: · A defect in the braking system caused several accidents before the car was recalled.· Investigators found a defect in the design of the ship.
something that stops a machine or system from working normally: · Please call 5326 if you have any computer problems.problem with: · There seems to be some kind of problem with the heaters.problem in: · Engineers were unable to find the source of the problem in the spacecraft's cooling system.
something wrong with a machine, car etc, especially when you do not know exactly what is causing it: · If you have engine trouble, park as far to the side of the road as possible.have trouble: · If you used the same tape later and had no trouble with the picture, the problem is probably in the VCR.trouble with: · We've been having some trouble with the air-conditioning.the trouble (=the particular thing causing the problem): · I think we've found out what the trouble is.
something wrong with a plan, system, or set of ideas, which may make the whole thing useless or not effective: · His plan seemed foolproof, but I was sure there was a flaw somewhere.· The program has serious weaknesses, and I would avoid using it.flaw/weakness in: · There are several obvious flaws in his argument.· One major weakness in the study is that it is based on a very small sample.
a small problem in a computer or a computer system: · The program suffers from some minor bugs, but is still better than the first version.· Some chips contained a bug that caused computers to crash frequently.
a small fault in the way something works, that can usually be corrected easily: · As the glitches are found and corrected, the process is speeding up.glitch in: · A glitch in the system shut down the telephone service to nearly 6 million customers. technical/mechanical etc glitch: · NASA officials found a way to work around the technical glitch on the Galileo spacecraft.
a set of instructions that someone puts secretly into other people's computers, that can destroy information stored in them or stop them working correctly: · The disk was accidentally infected with a virus called "Stoned III".· Computer users from around the world reported that the virus had invaded their systems.· an anti-virus program
spoken say this when there is a problem in a machine, part of a car etc, but you do not know exactly what it is: · I think there's something wrong with the clutch in my car.· I don't know what's the matter with it, but I can't get it to work.· There are programs that will help you figure out what's wrong with your PC, and help you correct it.
what you say to someone when they thank you spoken · "Thanks for the lift!" "Oh, don't mention it!"
informal spoken · "Thank you so much for looking after the children." "That's all right. I enjoyed having them."
especially American, spoken · "Thanks a lot." "You're welcome!"
formal spoken · "It was very good of you to sing for us at such short notice." "My pleasure!"· "Thanks for dinner" "Not at all - I enjoyed it".
spoken say this when someone has thanked you a lot for something you have done because they think it was very difficult for you to do: · "You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble, you know!" "Oh, think nothing of it."· "Thank you for all your help. I couldn't have done it without you." "Don't mention it. It was nothing."
informal spoken say this to show that what someone has thanked you for was really a very easy thing for you to do: · "Thank you for coming all the way out here." "No problem, lady."
American spoken used as a reply to someone who has thanked you for something: · "Thanks for the ride." "Sure, no problem."
when someone asks you for permission to do something spoken · "Is it all right if I use this computer?" "Yes, that's fine."· "Do you have a pen I can borrow?" "Yes, what color do you want?"· I asked her if I could come too, and she said yes.
spoken say this when you agree to give permission but you are not completely happy about it: · "Mum, can I borrow your car for an hour?" "OK, but don't be any longer than that."· Ed asked if he could stay over at Matt's house so I said okay.
spoken informal especially American · "Can I call you this evening?'' "Sure. I'll be home about seven thirty.''· "Do you have a photo of the baby I can see?" "Sure," said Maddy, pulling out her wallet.
spoken use this to say clearly and definitely that you are very willing to give your permission for something: · "Do you think I could borrow some money?" "Of course. How much do you need?"of course you can/we will etc: · "Will we be able to go to Disney World?" "Of course we will, that's why we're here."
spoken say this especially when you are being polite to someone in a formal situation: · "Can I change the date of my return flight to London?" "Certainly, which date would you prefer?"· "I'd like to use the hotel sauna, please.'' "Certainly, Madam. It's down the corridor on the left.''
spoken say this when someone asks your permission to use something that belongs to you, or asks to do something that affects you in some way: · "Is it OK if I smoke?'' "Sure, go ahead.''· "Do you mind if I use your phone?" "Not at all - go ahead."
spoken formal say this to show that you are very willing to give permission: · "Do you think I could stay at your house for a few days?'' "By all means, but you may have to sleep on the floor.''
spoken say this to show that you are very willing to give permission, and it is not at all inconvenient for you: · "Would it be all right if I leave work a bit early tomorrow? I've got a dentist's appointment." "No problem - thanks for letting me know."
when someone asks or tells you to do something spoken · "Will you type this letter for me, please." "Yes, but I'll have to finish this first."· "Clean the pans and scrub the floor, I want this place spotless." "Yes, sir," he replied.
spoken say this when you agree to do something but you are not completely happy about it: · "Could you pick me up at about 12 o'clock?" "Okay, if you're sure it won't be any later than that."· "Go and wake Ted up, will you?" "OK, but he isn't going to be too pleased."
spoken say this especially when you do not really want to do what someone is asking or telling you to do: · "Dad, can you help me with this maths homework?'' "Alright, but shouldn't you really do it by yourself?''all right then: · "I'd really like to see you some time this week.'' "Oh, all right then, how about a quick drink after work?''
spoken especially British say this especially when you want to show that you have understood what someone wants you to do and you are going to do it: · "We seem to have run out of eggs, too." "Right, how many do you want?"· "I'll need ten copies of this letter.'' "Right, I'll do it straight away.''
spoken informal especially American say this when you are happy to do something which someone asks or tells you to do: · "Will you be able to help with Jimmy's birthday party?'' "Sure, I love kids.''· "Just go out to the garage, will you, and get my tools.'' "Sure, I'll be right back.''
spoken say this when you are very happy to do something that someone has asked you to do: · "Can you have the car ready for me by 5 o'clock?" "No problem, sir."· "Could you get me down that box on the top shelf?" "Sure, no problem at all."
WORD SETSabsenteeism, nounacademic, adjectiveacademy, nounadult education, nounalma mater, nounassessment, nounassessor, nounassignment, nounaudiovisual, adjectiveAV, binder, nounbiology, nounblackboard, nounbursary, nounbusiness studies, nounCAL, nounCALL, nouncareer counselor, nouncareers officer, nouncase study, nounCDT, nouncert., certificate, nouncertificated, adjectivechalkboard, nouncharm school, nounchemistry set, nouncivics, nounclass, nounclassicist, nounclassmate, nouncloze test, nouncoach, nouncoeducation, nouncollege, nouncollegiate, adjectivecommon room, nouncomprehension, nouncomprehensive, adjectivecomputer-literate, adjectivecomputer science, nouncontinuing education, nouncorrespondence course, nouncoursebook, nouncoursework, nouncrash course, nouncredit, nouncrib, verbcross, nouncurriculum, nounD, noundiploma, noundirect method, nounDirector of Studies, noundissect, verbdistance learning, noundistinction, noundo, verbdropout, noundyslexia, nounedify, verbedifying, adjectiveeducate, verbeducational, adjectiveeducationalist, nouneducator, nounEFL, nounELT, nounESL, nounESOL, nounESP, nounessay, nounevening class, nounexam, nounexamination, nounexamine, verbexercise, nounexercise book, nounexternal, adjectiveextracurricular, adjectiveF, fail, nounfellowship, nounfield, nounfield day, nounfield trip, nounfieldwork, nounflashcard, nounflip chart, nounflunk, verbfree period, nounfresher, nounfreshman, nounfurther education, nounglobe, noungoverness, noungrade, verbgraded, adjectivegrade point average, noungrind, nounheuristic, adjectivehistory, nounimmersion, nounineducable, adjectiveinfirmary, nounintake, nounintelligence quotient, nouninterdisciplinary, adjectiveintroductory, adjectiveinvigilate, verbIQ, nounjanitor, nounlearning curve, nounlesson, nounletter, nounletter, verbliberal arts, nounlibrarian, nounlibrary, nounlife science, nounmainstream, adjectivemasterclass, nounmatron, nounmedia studies, nounmnemonic, nounmoderate, verbmoderator, nounmodular, adjectivemodule, nounmultiple choice, adjectivenight school, nounnumerate, adjectiveopen house, nounoral, nounoverqualified, adjectivepapier mâché, nounpass, verbpass, nounpastoral, adjectivepedagogical, adjectivepedagogue, nounpedagogy, nounphonics, nounphrasebook, nounphysical education, nounpicture book, nounplacement, nounplaytime, nounpoli sci, nounpolitical science, nounpolitics, nounprincipal, nounprize day, nounproblem, nounproctor, nounprogrammed learning, nounprotégé, nounquad, nounqualification, nounqualify, verbquick, adjectiverector, nounre-educate, verbrefectory, nounreference, nounreference library, nounrequirement, nounresearch, nounresearch, verbresit, verbresource, nounresult, nounresume, nounretake, verbretake, nounreunion, nounreview, verbrevise, verbrevision, nounrole-play, nounrote, nounscholar, nounscholarship, nounscholastic, adjectiveschool, nounscience, nounscript, nounself-taught, adjectiveset, verbspeciality, nounspelling bee, nounstandard, adjectivestate school, nounstudent body, nounstudent government, nounstudent loan, nounstudent teaching, nounstudent union, nounstudy, verbstudy hall, nounsub, nounsummer holidays, nounsummer vacation, nounsuperintendent, nounteacher, nounteaching, nountechie, nounterm, nounterm paper, nounTESL, nounTESOL, nountext, nountextbook, nountick, nountick, verbtimetable, nountimetable, verbtranscript, nountrimester, nountruancy, nountuition, nountutor, nountutor, verbunderclassman, noununit, noununseen, nounvisual aid, nounvocational, adjectivewhiteboard, nounworkbook, nounworksheet, nounX, nounyearbook, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1verbs Our yard is only small, and has the added disadvantage of facing north. It may not be necessary to go to the added expense of updating your anti-virus software. Our products address the needs of real users. the age-old problem of sexual discrimination people with alcohol problems (=people who drink too much) a new medicine to alleviate the symptoms of flu We don’t anticipate any problems. It might be possible to approach the problem in a different way. nuclear power, with all its attendant risks AIDS remains a big problem in many parts of the world. The builder is unable to pay due to cash flow problems. Helmut’s problems were compounded by his lack of concentration. We try to help people confront their problems. I think we’ve cracked the problem of the computer crashing all the time. The crux of the problem lay in the lack of equipment. The credit card eliminates the need for cash or cheques. There is no solution that will totally eliminate the possibility of theft. Ann suffered from depression and a number of other emotional problems. They encountered serious problems when two members of the expedition were injured. The use of animals in scientific tests raises difficult ethical questions. You’re simply trying to evade the problem. Many old people will experience problems as the result of retirement. My father hit a bad patch, and had to sell the house. Let’s try and solve the most immediate problem. The difficulty lies in providing sufficient evidence. And herein lies the key to their achievements. the long-standing problem of keeping costs down a set of simple math problems (=questions that are related to math) Lack of resources has been a perennial problem since the beginning. Poverty is a more pressing problem than pollution. Sleep disorders are a serious psychological problem. A competent mechanic should be able to get to the root of the problem (=find out the cause of a problem). strategies to get round (=solve) the problem The business ran into financial difficulties almost immediately. She went to a psychiatrist to try to sort out her problems. We were punished for the most trivial offences. I’m turning the project over to you. unforeseen delays in supplying the equipment
· We saw water rushing in and realised we had a serious problem.
· The building’s lack of parking space could cause problems.
(=cause it or make it have to be considered)· A shortage of trained nurses is posing major problems.
· The state has failed to deal with the problem of violence against women.
(=deal with it)· There is more than one way to tackle this problem.
(also fix a problem informal)· He solved his financial problems by selling his car.
· We try to help families overcome housing problems.
· Terrorism is possibly the most important problem facing western countries.
(=mention it, so that people can discuss it)· He also raised the problem of noise from planes taking off and landing.
· You shouldn’t encounter any further problems.
(also a problem comes up) (=it happens)· Problems may arise when the family wants to move house.
formal (=make it worse)· The country’s economic problems are compounded by its ageing population.
· The problem lies in the design of the rocket.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + problem· The school’s biggest problem is a shortage of cash.
· Old cars often develop minor engine problems.
· The main problem for the climbers was lack of sleep.
· They quickly found that their real problem lay with marketing.
· Does the team have the skills to tackle these difficult problems?
(=difficult)· He still faced the thorny problem of finding a way out of the jungle.
(=relating to the most basic and important parts of something)· The government has done little to solve the fundamental problems of poverty and crime.
(=one that needs to be dealt with very soon)· Lack of clean drinking water is the most pressing problem facing the refugees.
(=relating to your private life and relationships)· My daughter found it hard to talk about her personal problems.
· She would never discuss family problems with outsiders.
· Our financial problems are over.
· He argued that the government was to blame for the country’s economic problems.
· The delay was caused by technical problems.
· Burying a pet can present practical problems.
· Air pollution is our most serious environmental problem.
COMMON ERRORS ► It is more usual to say a big problem, a major problem or a serious problem, instead of saying 'an important problem'. Meaning 2ADJECTIVES/NOUN + problem· Have you ever suffered from any of these health problems?
· He was born with heart problems.
· There are special telephones for people with hearing problems.
(=the problem of being too fat)· Patients with weight problems were put on a strict diet.
(also mental health problems)· She is being treated for psychological problems at a mental hospital in Oxford.
· He suffers from depression and other emotional problems.
· Many of these children have behavioural problems.
· Lifting things carelessly can lead to serious back problems.
· She has had some minor medical problems.
verbs· He's always had a weight problem.
· The patient began to suffer breathing problems.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Our yard is only small, and has the added disadvantage of facing north. It may not be necessary to go to the added expense of updating your anti-virus software. Our products address the needs of real users. the age-old problem of sexual discrimination people with alcohol problems (=people who drink too much) a new medicine to alleviate the symptoms of flu We don’t anticipate any problems. It might be possible to approach the problem in a different way. nuclear power, with all its attendant risks (=someone is not helpful or pleasant to be with)· Some of the male students have a real attitude problem.
· She teaches children with behaviour problems.
AIDS remains a big problem in many parts of the world. The builder is unable to pay due to cash flow problems.· The heavy rain has been causing serious problems on the roads.
(=something wrong with your chest and causing you pain)· Older people often suffer from chest complaints.
(=very difficult to deal with)· Problem children may need to be removed from the classroom.
Helmut’s problems were compounded by his lack of concentration. We try to help people confront their problems. I think we’ve cracked the problem of the computer crashing all the time. The crux of the problem lay in the lack of equipment.· Both countries are having to deal with the problem of violence in urban areas.
(=a problem with the students' behaviour in a school)· Successful schools have fewer discipline problems.
· I suggested going out for a drink to discuss the problem.
· All cities have a waste disposal problem.
(=problems in the home and with family relationships)· I didn’t want to listen to any more of his domestic problems.
(=the problem of being addicted to drugs)· His daughter has a drug problem.
· The country’s continuing economic problems could lead to recession.
The credit card eliminates the need for cash or cheques. There is no solution that will totally eliminate the possibility of theft. Ann suffered from depression and a number of other emotional problems. They encountered serious problems when two members of the expedition were injured.· Acid rain is one of the major environmental problems associated with burning coal.
The use of animals in scientific tests raises difficult ethical questions. You’re simply trying to evade the problem. Many old people will experience problems as the result of retirement.· Her eyesight problems ruled out a job as a pilot.
· She told me about some of the problems she was facing.
· Charity could not solve the fundamental problem of unemployment.
· He missed a lot of time at work through health problems.
· a special telephone for people with hearing problems
· You should not take this medication if you have heart problems.
My father hit a bad patch, and had to sell the house.· Politicians have an image problem as far as many young people are concerned.
Let’s try and solve the most immediate problem. British English:· He suffered injury problems throughout his career as a footballer.
The difficulty lies in providing sufficient evidence. And herein lies the key to their achievements. the long-standing problem of keeping costs down a set of simple math problems (=questions that are related to math) (=when the morale of a group is low)· A lack of information can cause morale problems.
Lack of resources has been a perennial problem since the beginning.· Counselors can give assistance to students with personal problems.
· Environmentalists fear that the new factories will lead to severe pollution problems.
· A flood of refugees could pose a serious problem for neighbouring countries.
· There is a potential problem with the new equipment.
· The local Social Services Department may be able to help with practical problems.
· These mountain roads present problems even to experienced drivers.
Poverty is a more pressing problem than pollution. Sleep disorders are a serious psychological problem.· Action is being taken to resolve the problem.
A competent mechanic should be able to get to the root of the problem (=find out the cause of a problem). strategies to get round (=solve) the problem The business ran into financial difficulties almost immediately.· Vandalism is a serious problem in the area.
· The clothing industry has experienced severe problems in recent years.
· He solved the problem by moving the aggressive fish to a separate tank.
She went to a psychiatrist to try to sort out her problems.· Research shows that children of alcoholic parents are more likely to suffer problems in adulthood.
· The government has failed to tackle the problem of youth crime.
We were punished for the most trivial offences. I’m turning the project over to you.· Little is being done to correct the system's underlying problems.
unforeseen delays in supplying the equipment· It’s an urgent problem, and needs tackling straight away.
(=a tendency to be too fat)· I’ve always had a weight problem.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Power supply is a big problem today, since battery technology has not progressed at the same rate as other information technologies.· But the biggest problem was the stealing.· Trading Death A big problem Drugs are never cheap.· Our biggest problem was finding somebody willing to move in.· They can also cause big problems for coastal fisheries, aquaculture operations and the tourist industry.· Since many exist on the margins of their environments, small changes may create big problems for them.· The bigger problem for me at the time was the way the orchestra was playing.· The biggest problem with liberalism is that you have to fly all the way to San Francisco to find it.
· The governments in Tunis, Algiers and Rabat fear that new frustrations will inflame their countries' economic problems.· They expressed concerns that decreased military spending can become an economic problem in regions that depend on the armed forces for jobs.· He blamed what he called the painful kick-back of recent economic problems for the latest spate of job losses.· Only an egomaniac would propose a Napoleonic construction effort as a plan for a city with fundamental social and economic problems.· The Wilson government inherited serious economic problems in October 1964, but made matters worse by its own decisions.· The widespread collapse into an enervated self can not be attributed solely to the economic and social problems of our day.· The economic problems, the exhaustion brought by war, and divisions between the political parties all caused difficulties for de Gaulle.· Despite the economic problems and some unrelated political problems of the 1960s, the country remained a relatively prosperous one.
· But she gave herself up to police and told them her real motive was to win attention for emotional problems.· The sixth and oldest, a 9-year-old boy, currently is in specialized foster care because of emotional problems.· But social service officials have warned that even if this latest rescue mission is successful the children could face long-term emotional problems.· After all, there is so much talk about emotional problems and abnormality that many people wonder if they need help.· They found that more than six out of 10 children with emotional and behavioural problems were regular smokers.· Therapy based on these questions can be wonderful and effective for help with a wide variety of emotional or cognitive problems.· It also provides a counselling service and a range of literature with advice on emotional as well as practical problems.· The organization has a less productive worker and the employee gets to wrestle with a series of physical and emotional problems.
· Ian Boddy, for Wennington, said she had serious financial and marriage problems.· During 1995, the Amex lost 28 companies to competing exchanges and delisted another 38 companies for financial and other problems.· And, of course, he always got some one else to pay for everything anyway, so it wasn't any financial problem.· Q: When you took over the team in May 1994, the then-owners were going through serious financial problems.· But more financial problems meant only a handful were ever built.· Reportedly, EconoPage had financial problems from its inception in 1994.· The gist of the auditors' criticism is that this is primarily a financial reporting problem rather than an auditing one.· In fact, financial problems may not be uppermost in her mind.
· The immediate problem, however, lies in implementing such a system.· I had a more immediate problem.· The fellowship at Caius took care of my immediate employment problem.· Water, the most obvious and important resource, was not an immediate problem.· The immediate problem for parents is what to tell them.· He seems to be suggesting the endowment as a quick solution to an immediate problem, but he knows better.· This is not an immediate problem in the hectic process of establishing the great new structure.· His own attention was increasingly diverted to the more immediate problems of holding down prices and wages.
· The main problem is coping with the aggression.· We can now deal with the main problems that could arise in the new community care system.· The main problem is how to be your own critic.· Or they can decide that the main problem is that relative poverty got no better during the prosperous 1980s.· The main problem with Cape Verde is that it hardly ever rains.· The main problem was how to interest the media.· This pinpointed the main problem ara - non-asbestos work resulting in damage to asbestos-containing insulation material.· The main problem about drawing up a will is that it means accepting the inevitability of death.
· Although traditional remedial education is undergoing radical reform, major problems remain.· This was spotty and not a major problem.· Mr Kirwan said the three slip-ways at Redcar beach were the major problem.· Patricia Schroeder, D-Colo., has said the tactic is a major problem on college campuses.· The only major problem at this year's final results from the traditional fine weather in southern California.· Nor has he been sharing with all board members the monthly reports he receives outlining the major budget problems Pima County faces.· More than 40 competitors blanked and iced rod rigs were a major problem.· This causes major problems in growth and development.
· Their attitude to people with mental health problems or drug problems are similarly positive.· To what extent is work inhibition a consequence of mental health problems?· I had never met anyone with mental problems.· Jurors in the case of Dalton Prejean were unaware of his long-term mental problems when sentencing him to death.· I have had two experiences in which the mental health problems of older people have been successfully treated by a homeopath.· Russell Keys was, by all accounts, a clever, amusing man with manageable mental problems.· Police said the 20-year-old had a history of mental problems.· Surely we can do better for people with mental problems and their families?
· My only problem so far has been keeping track of who, exactly, in the Archives quotations is saying what.· But it appears that pricing is not the only problem affecting investors in the Dumenil group.· The only problem with Snotties is that they take casualties fairly quickly.· The only problem was convincing them they couldn't follow up with a New Year's knees-up a week later.· Carrie's only problem was the other woman who worked in the dining rooms.· The only problem you're likely to encounter is jerkiness of movement as the nodes grow too far apart.· In fact, the zips are really the only problem area.
· Working in prisons, with the need for round-the-clock supervision poses particular problems for women who also carry traditional domestic responsibilities.· Three particular problems call for comment, however.· My particular problems were probably simply not noticed; so nobody talked about them.· This particular problem is of no real mathematical interest.· The student will learn more effectively through identifying the particular needs and problems of each patient.· Every now and then nature conspires to rivet homeowners' attention on a particular maintenance problem.· Sometimes we may be able to identify a particular stress or problem which may be affecting us in our inability to sleep.· The relative merits of both approaches have to be considered when opting for a solution to a particular diagnostic problem.
· The filming was bedevilled by her personal problems, her sleeping problems, her lateness on the set, her acting problems.· Outspoken and energetic, Stynes now arranges counselling for workers with personal problems, especially drug and alcohol abuse.· James Baker said that he had always believed that a professional should never admit to hurt or personal problems.· They have personal problems because they do not have the cash flow.· Furious host officials last night accused Charles and Diana of putting their personal problems before their sense of duty.· Anybody on the venire have any personal problem with these two?· It is difficult to understand how personal problems can be resolved by refusing to talk about them.· The discussions in the group sessions were primarily devoted to living a life free of alcohol and coping with personal problems.
· Another potential problem for Marlow is how the public reacts to the idea of Quorn.· The evaluation should begin by considering the history and hospital course in light of the potential acid-base problems.· The MoD told us the organisers were aware of potential problems when they moved to Wroughton three years ago.· The Committee believes that these adequately address any potential problem which might arise with respect to this area.· We did not find it feasible, however, because of potential ethical problems, to collect bile from such a patient group.· Clinton does face a potential problem from the financing of his campaign last year.· When surgery is planned there is time to correct existing problems and reduce the risk of potential problems.· I sense a potential marketing problem here.
· Many theoretical and practical problems remain to be studied and this research project will tackle some of them.· Is there a serious practical problem that Congress needs to address?· But county hall staff say there are practical problems which prevent them from laying speed monitoring cables.· One practical problem with the drug is that it is relatively expensive compared with phenytoin or phenobarbital.· This included some fruitful experiments at secondary level in applying scientific knowledge to practical problems.· To me this is a practical problem.· There are practical problems with the installation as well.· There were all sorts of practical problems which Nigel Barnes, the drama teacher faced.
· It's in the middle where their real problems lie.· Pardon us if we yawn, Chuck, but that hardly addresses the real problem.· But neither the car nor the team was the real problem.· They learned by facing real problems and real consequences.· Identical spellings for words that sound the same are not a real problem.· This real clinical problem presents a therapeutic dilemma.· The for-profits and the government agencies have both been real problems for us.
· These are serious problems, which need to be addressed carefully.· As Hoffman indicated, Macintosh in its nascent form had some serious problems.· Guaranteeing continuity in the casework of clients is a serious problem for a manager with a large team of volunteers.· High levels of coliform bacteria may indicate more serious problems in a water supply, such as the infiltration of fecal material.· However, there are still serious problems.· Why, in the absence of almost any other serious problems, did he have such difficulty in completing schoolwork?· As more and more land was planted with cash crops, the lack of pasture became a serious problem in many districts.
· However, unelected, time limited, hierarchical agencies have played an important role in central government initiatives to solve social problems.· The misinterpretation of behavior as pathology also results quite often from the labeling of social problems as individual psychological problems.· Amongst other things, the sociologist is interested in how and why some things come to be seen as social problems.· Women, then, had more social problems, particularly connected with familial responsibilities.· The aetiology of social problems and the function of social work.· The social problem is the apparent occasion for the poem, and some people feel that it is an intrusion.· One in three men and one in seven women who try to kill themselves also have physical and social alcohol-related problems.· We acknowledge that the country has a number of social problems.
· The manufacture of the books that fill the movable shelves was often fraught with technical problems.· In short, given the existing state of backwardness, underdevelopment is not primarily a scientific, technical or organizational problem.· This is a true mega-project which has faced gigantic technical problems.· But then it describes technical problems with both and offers little further guidance.· Design implies change and improvement, solving technical problems and meeting new needs.· He had friends there and he saw many interesting technical problems still to be solved.· In reality there can be practical and technical problems which can make it difficult and sometimes impossible.· Earlier today, a minor technical problem occurred.
NOUN· If you stoop or are round-shouldered these shoulder movements will help to rectify this problem area for you.· Her advice begins with an inventory of belongings, surroundings, problem areas and priorities.· You can also conduct profit forecasts, identify profitable work and problem areas.· In this case, treat the write-up as yet another learning experience informing you of strong and problem areas.· The identified problem areas for companies were lubrication, wear, condition monitoring, bearings, gears and seals.· Once you start to think about underprepared students in terms of these overlapping problem areas, all sorts of solutions present themselves.· It works by analysing your present financial position and identifying any problem areas or gaps.· The writer should assume that the reviewer though probably a sophisticated person, is not very well informed in the problem area.
· It is free of charge and can help to detect early signs of health problems and prevent them developing.· The men in our study who had the fewest worries about their relationships with their children also had the fewest health problems.· Off the field there were health problems and tensions with teammates.· The study predicts the biggest health problems of the next 25 years to be those chronic conditions which largely affect the elderly.· He claims Southern Water failed in its duty to prevent health problems caused by piping sewage into the sea.· A consensus has long existed to make health insurance portable and to assure some coverage for people with existing health problems.· It will provide the best facilities in the area for people suffering from mental health problems.· Surveillance of health problems may be brief and intermittent. 3.
VERB· Recent reports by a number of organisations have urged companies to address this problem seriously.· The Committee believes that these adequately address any potential problem which might arise with respect to this area.· The new government is trying to address this problem.· But despite all this evidence, most organizations have yet to address the problem in any comprehensive or organized way.· Begin by addressing yourself to the problem.· Carville, Dionne and Weisberg all address this problem as best they can.· But in their prepared homilies the Pope and the Archbishop addressed quite different problems.· How can he properly address the problems without hearing the coaches' side?
· Fault Finding Here is a fault-finding guide to help locate any problems that might arise when producing boards with the ultra-violet technique.· Supervisors took a back scat and would let the teams try to handle the problems as they arose.· But once again microeconomic problems arise since there are two parties to the contract of employment.· Human intervention is required again and again, and intervention is needed at the level where these problems are arising.· It is at the margin the problem arises.· The problems arise quickly, though, when the cast are, as so often, essentially stereotypes.· The following case provides a very good illustration of the legal problems arising from allegations of fraud.· However, problems arise when the author describes how to actually use the gear.
· I thought Honved might cause them a few problems once they had equalised.· But that could cause other environmental problems.· The main disadvantage is that political or economic instability within the country may cause problems outside the control of the parent company.· Sometimes doing that causes nasty structural problems, like a caved-in cake.· It is mistake which causes problems.· But the newfound speed has caused other problems.· When pilots or mechanics went on strike they could cause devastating problems, but flight attendants were still seen as replaceable parts.
· To compound the problem, drizzle and low cloud was firmly entrenched in the area.· But this time the results have only compounded and exacerbated the problems of the Republican Party.· What is more, the remedy advised is likely to compound the problem.· But in this case, the director of field operations, abetted by other headquarters personnel, compounded the problem.· Prisoners' confinement and lack of contact with the outside world compound their problems.· You risk hugely compounding the problem by getting caught in half-truths.· Land fragmentation, as a result of inheritance laws and social custom, compounds the widespread problem of small farm size.· To compound the problem, a drop in battery power corrupted the software programme which controlled the radio itself.
· A grandparent who tries to counteract parents' own methods by being over-indulgent or strict will only create further problems.· Since many exist on the margins of their environments, small changes may create big problems for them.· It can create problems over the ownership and control of the business.· What Kaufman was saying is that we had helped create the problem.· However, Nuttall has shown that this creates considerable problems for the interpretation of results in relation to, for example, class size.· But, like Buchanan, Sweeney creates problems as well as opportunities for his party.· For instance, it can create a problem if the team moves.
· Throughout the year, the education officer will deal with any student problems which arise and help to find teachers for colleges.· Thus, a major managerial responsibility was dealing with the problem employee.· We shall only succeed in dealing with the problems through a vast international cooperative effort.· These procedural changes deal with specific problems discussed above in Chapters 1 and 2.· Good proposal writing is a delicate balance of presenting your intentions in dealing with your research problem.· Organisations dealing with problems like Julie's say the chances of getting the children back are slim.· Some resource will also be needed to deal with technical problems and enquiries from sales and commercial departments.
· If there is a speech therapist treating the client with whom one can discuss the problem, that can be very helpful.· Then we discuss some political problems including political business cycles.· If we don't discuss these problems we won't get anywhere and nothing will be done.· I replied that Bobbie was doing fine and that I wanted to discuss problems with two other patients.· They are told about aids which can assist them and given time to discuss special problems.· She discussed her problem with him.· The tutorial provides the opportunity to develop themes or discuss problems usually on the basis of written work.· As discussed earlier, the problem comes in defining the assets of a marital partnership.
· Gilligan's work encounters similar problems.· If we define it as statistically likely, we encounter the problems discussed earlier with an infrequency model.· When he did encounter problems, remedies were easily to hand.· Surgeons who performed reconstructive surgery encountered many problems similar to those faced by their medical colleagues.· However, the company is not sympathetic to climbing, and should you encounter access problems contact me immediately.· The colonists encountered the problem with runaway slaves.· That is, rather than correcting their errors, I model the strategies readers use when they encounter these problems.
· The nursery tells it has experienced no problems at all, except that the composts are a bit more expensive.· Frustrated customers who are experiencing the same problems have filed several class-action lawsuits.· Again within each type of disability the majority of those who experience the problem reside in the community.· Persians, with their pushed-in faces, can experience problems breathing.· Humans experience few of these problems when reading.· Ripken began to experience problems with his back in July.· Having also personally experienced the problems at Southwark Offset, I realise how daunting the prospect of trying again must have been.· It also has experienced some billing problems.
· Liz was asked to imagine how she would respond if she was faced with the same problems again.· Sybase is not the only technology company facing problems.· The physically handicapped youngster faces severe problems in finding employment.· Clinton does face a potential problem from the financing of his campaign last year.· Both countries will face severe problems increasing their oil output.· Long-lived trees face a particular problem because their parasites have time to adapt to their genetic defenses-to evolve.· I face the same problems as a structural engineer.· Hughes was the second prominent researcher at Georgetown to face problems because of reproductive research.
· It took me two days to fix all the problems with that coach.· Lei Feng is under a truck fixing a mechanical problem.· The problem-solving sessions began to generate ideas for fixing problems such as water leaks and glass breakage.· It is designed to enable system administrators to identify and fix problems before they come to most users' attention.· Navy officials say they are fixing the manning problems but expect the shortages of skilled sailors to continue until sometime in 1999.· If they know everything about a job then they may well be able to fix the problems for you.· Some also fear that efforts to fix the problem will just create more troublesome models.
· To overcome this problem many policy papers which examine population ageing produce a variety of projections using different fertility assumptions.· The very struggle to overcome the new problems can have a salutary welding effect on the new church.· But they insisted Charles and Diana were attempting to overcome their problems.· Fortunately: If you write at least three times a week, you should overcome each problem in less than a month.· She came to see me, and after two sessions, was able to overcome the problem.· She has worked so hard to overcome her hip problem.· However, this does not in itself overcome the language problems which have arisen during the period of isolation.· One of the biggest steps toward overcoming a problem is identifying it.
· Working in prisons, with the need for round-the-clock supervision poses particular problems for women who also carry traditional domestic responsibilities.· And for many gay men, that posed a problem almost as threatening as the epidemic itself.· It may pose many more problems than you had anticipated.· Buchanan poses less of a problem for Dole.· How to convey the battle scene posed a problem.· And the fact that both doctors were insured by the same company must have posed a serious problem for the company.· The point that capitalist planning is increasingly conducted on an international scale poses problems for the socialist project.· The discrepancies between these different analyses pose a number of problems.
· Many other problems may be presented, for example problems related to preparing the patient for safe discharge to the community.· For many countries where free speech is alien, the Internet presents interesting problems and policy issues.· The preservation of information captured in machine-readable form undoubtedly presents a host of problems to traditional archives.· Both relatively objective and relatively subjective criteria present other problems.· Doors that swing inwards present the problem of curtain fabric interfering with the operation of the doors.· The banking system and mail service can present problems for newcomers.· This is a very straight forward part and shouldn't present any problems.· This presents a major problem for women: the reduced number of available men compared to women over sixty-five years of age.
· Before he resolves a problem, he keeps an open mind on how that problem might be resolved.· Clinton wants a bipartisan commission to resolve the problem.· He resolved the problem by adopting the role of lookout, warning the men when strangers, particularly police, were approaching.· The very stiffness of the penalty should resolve the problem.· The separation also resolves the problem of remorse when we tax ourselves about an unphilosophical action we may have taken.· Others come asking him to resolve a problem.· He said suing the building society would only delay matters and make resolving the problem more costly.· The moral way to resolve the problem is to keep people from entering rather than punishing their children once they are here.
· We solved the problems for manufacturing, and we also found some cost savings that we could pass along to our customers.· However, unelected, time limited, hierarchical agencies have played an important role in central government initiatives to solve social problems.· We use our intellects not to solve practical problems but to outwit each other.· Some of these experiments were designed to solve a specific medical problem.· How would you try to solve the problem?· What remains is to solve the problem of restoring the corners of the cube to their rightful positions.· His interest was in solving the problem of how to make it.
· The first black adoption agency, New Black Families, began to tackle the problem in 1980.· Spurred by the profit motive, the shops tackled problems with a vengeance.· When you actually tackle the problem case it will not be as bad as you had thought.· Part of the sport of tackling the longitude problem entailed ridiculing others in the competition.· You can tackle the simpler problems yourself.· In tackling these problems, we experimented.· We will tackle this problem with vigour.· And the best way to tackle that problem is not on the loch itself, but in the centre of town.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► What’s your/his etc problem?► have no problem (in) doing somethingPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be up to your ears in work/debt/problems etc► Houston, we have a problem► underlying cause/principle/problem etc
1difficulty a situation that causes difficulties: - Anyway, that's your problem.
- It's not my problem if she won't listen to reason.
- "You're going to wear that dress?" "Do you have a problem with that?"
- A basic issue between Paul and the Corinthian problem children was over a proper understanding of the self.
- Another reason to consider a moderation-goal option is that a broader range of problem drinkers can be attracted and treated.
- BAccording to a federal survey, men are much more likely to be problem drinkers than women.
- Data collection is mainly by questionnaire and structured interviews with families, youth groups and problem drinkers.
- It does reflect the position of the Corinthian problem children, however.
- Services for problem drinkers are very fragmented at present.
- They were talking about a problem child.
- This problem drinker population has been largely ignored or at least underserved.
- "Can you have the car ready for me by 5 o'clock?" "No problem, sir."
- "Could you get me down that box on the top shelf?" "Sure, no problem at all."
- "Could you pick some bread up at the store?" "Sure, no problem."
- "Thank you for coming all the way out here." "No problem, lady."
- "Thanks for letting us stay with you." "No problem."
- "Would it be all right if I leave work a bit early tomorrow? I've got a dentist's appointment." "No problem - thanks for letting me know."
- A cold roof in winter causes no problems.
- I have no problem playing against him now.
- If so, there is no problem.
- Landing on the beach presented no problems, though finding a passage through the kelp beds near the shore took some time.
- The Board of Supervisors should have no problem approving the proposal.
- Theoretically, eliminating poverty and underdevelopment in the region should pose no problem.
- There were no problems of early clogging or dislodgement.
- Waterproofness: no problems in various weather conditions.
- Do you know what the problem is?
- For them, the problem is one of trust.
- I know, the problem is money.
- I think that the problem is even too great for remediation.
- In both cases the problem is that concrete cultural processes, in particular historical locations, are reduced to abstract schemata.
- In other words, it is to argue that the problem is a technical problem which admits of a technical solution.
- It doesn't mean that the problem is solved, but there's a starting point to work from.
- When the problem is studied and understood, it should explain a great many doubts and questions.
- It's a chicken and egg situation really.
- My doctor's a nice young man, takes no end of trouble.
- Neighbours say a new flats development in Sun Street, Darlington, has created no end of problems.
- They'd caused no end of problems for the nomes.
- Attractive as that proposition has seemed in recent years, the form in which it has been pursued is fraught with difficulties.
- For this whole business of killing, whether killing beasts or killing men, is supposed to be fraught with danger.
- He realized that what he was about to attempt was fraught with dangers, for Bernice and for himself.
- However, it is a move fraught with problems as our writers explain How long can it be taken as read?
- She had had a husband and lovers older than herself, and each affair had been fraught with problems.
- There are a number of tortured perspectives on how to get round this problem, but they are themselves fraught with problems.
- Thompson and Geir can agree, but their own deliverance was fraught with danger.
- But the larger picture is systematically distorted by the military and political calculations concerning the strategic uses of information and disinformation.
- Here we are concerned with the larger problem of the relationship between men as a class and other animals as a class.
- It has come to have a bearing on the larger questions of civilized survival.
- Mission-driven budgets relieve legislators of micromanagement decisions, freeing them to focus on the larger problems they were elected to solve.
- She was blind to the larger picture that involves building and maintaining good relationships with both fellow-workers and superiors.
- That ignorance is at the root of geophysicists' struggle with the larger problem of how the whole earth works.
- Too much, and the larger picture might become apparent.
- You failed to connect the various elements together or to move through the detail to the larger issues of the painting.
- For not the least of Henry's problems was how to raise the money required for the accomplishment of such an undertaking.
- Greatly increased taxes and a major shift back to defence expenditure could be the least of our worries.
- Not the least of its problems was extreme alienation between labor and management.
- That was the least of her troubles.
- The death under somewhat dubious circumstances of a racehorse belonging to his son was frankly the least of his problems.
- Are both boys and girls shown developing independent lives, independently meeting challenges, and finding their own solutions?
- Capable of successfully and creatively meeting challenges. salary / benefits: Excellent salary and benefits package.
- Ideally, pre-marital counselling, supplemented before parenthood, would meet problems before they could arise.
- These patterns evolve over time, as an organization attempts to meet challenge after challenge in the best way it knows how.
- Even so, some brain cells were still working, as I stared inwardly at the nub of the problem.
- It sounds perfectly reasonable, but you will perceive that here is the nub of the matter.
- This is the nub of the matter.
- This, however, was the nub of the problem.
- It would be nice to have been able to offload your worries on to some one or something like that.
- But the only thing is they are really small.
- I did some um and the only problem is size.
- In fact the only problem is deciding where to start.
- It duplicates perfectly in production, so the only problem is making the first copy.
- Well, no problem with the casting, the only problem is remembering the plot.
- But she sidesteps a question about her priorities in a time of limited funding.
- Mahmud may have bought time for himself, but he stored up trouble for his successors.
- At times it appears large numbers of these new or infrequent voters were confounded by technical problems in the ballot.
- Design implies change and improvement, solving technical problems and meeting new needs.
- He had also to tackle the technical problems of bringing two curriculum systems into one entity.
- However, some technical problems exist.
- In other words, it is to argue that the problem is a technical problem which admits of a technical solution.
- It is open to any interested individual and meets regularly to discuss operational and near-term technical problems of the Internet.
- Politics becomes an issue of solving the technical problems of advancing capitalism rather than the realization of practical goals.
- The principal technical problems which had to be resolved were breakage due to heavy-duty service and abuse.
- In addition, sending encrypted data over international boundaries represents a thorny issue: it is still illegal in some countries.
- Melding the top managements also would be a thorny issue.
- None of these struck me as particularly penetrating answers to a thorny problem.
- A paradigm example of this is the vexed question of spatial visualisation.
- And there is another vexed question.
- I shall not turn to the vexed question of the national minimum wage.
- Potentially an even bigger bombshell is about to burst on the vexed question of pension rights.
- The vexed question has always been: Who should write the programs which control these machines?
- Then there is the vexed issue of paying for tax cuts.
- Until recently what was on the child's school record and whether parent or child could see it was a vexed question.
- Was the vexed question of extradition discussed at the Council?
She was older than me, but that wasn’t really a problem.problem of The problem of street crime is getting worse every year.problem with I’ve been having a few problems with my car.RegisterIn writing, people sometimes prefer to use the word issue rather than problem, as it sounds more neutral and less negative:· the issue of race relations2something wrong with your health or with part of your bodyhealth problem/problem with your health Does she have any long-term health problems?back/heart/kidney etc problem If you have back problems you should avoid lifting heavy objects.hearing problem Many people with hearing problems try to hide their condition.weight problem She refuses to admit to herself that she has a weight problem.emotional/psychological problem Is this a sign of some kind of deeper psychological problem?► see thesaurus at illness3question a question for which you have to find the right answer, using mathematics or careful thought: She gave us 20 mathematical problems to solve.4no problem spoken a)used to say that you are happy to do something or for someone else to do something: ‘Can I bring a friend?’ ‘Sure, no problem.’ b)used after someone has said thank you or said that they are sorry: ‘Thanks for all your help.’ ‘No problem!’5have no problem (in) doing something to do something easily: I’ve had no problem recruiting staff.6the (only) problem is (that) ... spoken used before saying what the main difficulty in a situation is: The problem is, there isn’t enough time.7that’s your/his etc problem spoken used to say rudely that someone else is responsible for dealing with a situation, not you: If you miss the train, that’s your problem.8it’s/that’s not my problem spoken used to say rudely that you are not responsible for dealing with a particular problem and are not willing to help: ‘We’ve got a serious staffing shortage.’ ‘That’s not my problem.’9What’s your/his etc problem? spoken informal used when you think that someone is behaving in a way that is unreasonable10Do you have a problem with that? spoken informal used to ask someone why they seem to disagree with you, in a way that shows that you are annoyed11problem child/family/drinker etc a child etc whose behaviour causes problems for other peopleCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbshave a problem· We saw water rushing in and realised we had a serious problem.cause/create a problem· The building’s lack of parking space could cause problems.present/pose a problem (=cause it or make it have to be considered)· A shortage of trained nurses is posing major problems.deal with/sort out a problem· The state has failed to deal with the problem of violence against women.tackle/address a problem (=deal with it)· There is more than one way to tackle this problem.solve/resolve a problem (also fix a problem informal)· He solved his financial problems by selling his car.overcome a problem· We try to help families overcome housing problems.face a problem· Terrorism is possibly the most important problem facing western countries.raise a problem (=mention it, so that people can discuss it)· He also raised the problem of noise from planes taking off and landing.encounter/experience a problem· You shouldn’t encounter any further problems.a problem arises/occurs (also a problem comes up) (=it happens)· Problems may arise when the family wants to move house.compound/exacerbate a problem formal (=make it worse)· The country’s economic problems are compounded by its ageing population.the problem lies in/with something· The problem lies in the design of the rocket.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + problembig/major/serious· The school’s biggest problem is a shortage of cash.little/small/minor· Old cars often develop minor engine problems.the main problem· The main problem for the climbers was lack of sleep.a real problem· They quickly found that their real problem lay with marketing.a difficult problem· Does the team have the skills to tackle these difficult problems?a thorny/knotty problem (=difficult)· He still faced the thorny problem of finding a way out of the jungle.a fundamental problem (=relating to the most basic and important parts of something)· The government has done little to solve the fundamental problems of poverty and crime.a pressing problem (=one that needs to be dealt with very soon)· Lack of clean drinking water is the most pressing problem facing the refugees.personal problems (=relating to your private life and relationships)· My daughter found it hard to talk about her personal problems.family problems· She would never discuss family problems with outsiders.financial/money problems· Our financial problems are over.economic problems· He argued that the government was to blame for the country’s economic problems.a technical problem· The delay was caused by technical problems.a practical problem· Burying a pet can present practical problems.an environmental problem· Air pollution is our most serious environmental problem.COMMON ERRORS ► It is more usual to say a big problem, a major problem or a serious problem, instead of saying 'an important problem'.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2ADJECTIVES/NOUN + problema health/medical problem· Have you ever suffered from any of these health problems?a back/heart/kidney etc problem· He was born with heart problems.a hearing problem· There are special telephones for people with hearing problems.a weight problem (=the problem of being too fat)· Patients with weight problems were put on a strict diet.psychological problems (also mental health problems)· She is being treated for psychological problems at a mental hospital in Oxford.emotional problems· He suffers from depression and other emotional problems.behavioural problems· Many of these children have behavioural problems.a serious/major problem· Lifting things carelessly can lead to serious back problems.a minor problem· She has had some minor medical problems.verbshave a problem· He's always had a weight problem.suffer (from) a problem· The patient began to suffer breathing problems.THESAURUSsetback a problem that stops you from making progress: · The space program suffered a major setback when the space shuttle, Discovery, exploded.snag informal a problem, especially one that you had not expected: · There’s a snag – I don’t have his number.hitch a small problem that delays or prevents something: · There have been a few last-minute hitches.trouble when something does not work in the way it should: · The plane developed engine trouble.hassle spoken a situation that is annoying because it causes problems: · Just trying to store all this stuff is a hassle.